Coated apple confection making machine

ABSTRACT

A cyclically operated coated apple confection making machine includes a handle stick storage hopper from which handle sticks are discharged one at a time at a first work station and are inserted automatically into handle stick-gripping and appleholding devices, carried by a main movable endless or rotary turntable carrier, by which the handle sticks are automatically inserted into apples carried by a movable endless or rotary turntable apple carrier at a second apple pick-up work station. If an apple is not picked up at the second and apple pick-up work station the handle stick is automatically ejected from the handle stick-gripping and apple-holding device at a third work station. The handle sticks and attached apples are then moved through a caramel container in which they are rotated to coat the apples with a coating of caramel. The caramel-coated apples are then moved to a fifth work station where whey are lowered into and rotated in a first receptacle or tray for ground nuts so as to coat the caramel-coated apples with an outer coating of layer of ground nuts. The caramel-coated and ground nut-coated apples are then moved to a sixth work station at which the completed coated apple confections, with attached handle sticks, are discharged into a second receptacle or tray where they are given a further coating of ground nuts. The caramel container has a heating unit therebelow and the caramel container and its heating unit are automatically raised in small increments relative to the handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices as the rotational cycle of the main movable endless or rotary turntable carrier embodied in the machine progresses so as to assure an adequate coating of caramel on the apples as the supply of caramel in the caramel container is consumed in use. A nut storage hopper has a nutgrinding mechanism therein and ground nut level-responsive means in the first ground nut receptacle or tray, which is responsive to the level of ground nuts therein, controls the operation of the nut-grinding mechanism in such a manner as to assure an adequate supply of ground nuts in the first ground nut receptacle or tray at all times.

Raimondi et al.

[ 51 May 2, 1972 [54] COATED APPLE CONFECTION MAKING MACHINE [72] inventors: Vito O. Raimondi, Chicago; William V.

Raimondi, Cicero, both of 111.

Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Attorney-Charles B. Cannon [5 7] ABSTRACT A cyclically operated coated apple confection making machine includes a handle stick storage hopper from which handle sticks are discharged one at a time at a first work station and are inserted automatically into handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices, carried by a main movable endless or rotary turntable carrier, by which the handle sticks are automatically inserted into apples carried by a movable endless or rotary turntable apple carrier at a second apple pick-up work station. If an apple is not picked up at the second and apple pick-up work station the handle stick is automatically ejected from the handle stick-gripping and apple-holding device at a third work station. The handle sticks and attached apples are then moved through a caramel container in which they are rotated to coat the apples with a coating of caramel. The caramel-coated apples are then moved to a fifth work station where whey are lowered into and rotated in a first receptacle or tray. for ground nuts so as to coat the caramel-coated apples with an outer coating of layer of ground nuts. The caramel-coated and ground nut-coated apples are then moved to a sixth work station at which the completed coated apple confections, with attached handle sticks, are discharged into a second receptacle or tray where they are given a further coating of ground nuts. The caramel container has a heating unit therebelow and the caramel container and its heating unit are automatically raised in small increments relative to the handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices as the rotational cycle of the main movable endless or rotary turntable carrier embodied in the machine progresses so as to assure an adequate coating of caramel on the apples as the supply of caramel in the caramel container is consumed in use. A nut storage hopper has a nut-grinding mechanism therein and ground nut level-responsive means in the first ground nut receptacle or tray, which is responsive to the level of ground nuts therein, controls the operation of the nut-grinding mechanism in such a manner as to assure an adequate supply of ground nuts in the first ground nut receptacle or tray at all times.

62 Claims, 149 Drawing Figures I /29 as I L M /33 w ff 1 t ill 133i i :f 1.2. /4/ 3L E I) m 1 /2 290 I32 /3/ 609 I26 333 X D [28 PATENTEDMAYZ I972 3, 660, 1 l8 sum 05 [1F 40 SEVENTH WORK STATION- CARAMEL- COATED AND GROUND NUT- COATED APPLE |33 RELEASED /29 AND GIVEN SECOND COATING OF GROUND uurs.

FIRST WORK STATION HANDLE STICK EJECT" ED FROM HANDLE STICK STORAGE HOPPER I34 INTO CHUCK I38 I 7 SECOND SIXTH WORK WORK STATION- 2mm FIRST GROUND INSERTED mn INTO CORE 0F APPLE COATING B3 0F CARAMEL THIRD COATED \WORK APPLE STATION UNLOADED HANDLE STICK I36 EJECTEO mom CHUCK I38 FIFTH wonx STATION ExcEss CARAMEL FOURTH REMOVED FROM WORK STATION cARAMEL- COATED CARAMEL COATING APPLE I33 0F APPLE I33 uvvavrms W70 0. RA/MO/VD/ WILLIAM H. RA/MO/VD/ PATENTEDMAYZ I972 3,660,118

sum 070F410 W70 0. RA/MOA/D/ /77 WILL/AM v. RA/MOND/ WQQ W PATENTED Z I972 I 3, 660,1 18

W/L L MM 1/. RA IMO/VD/ YHHQ/ 

1. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection which includes a coated apple having a handle stick embedded therein comprising a. a supporting frame; b. a turntable carrier member rotatably mounted on the said supporting frame; c. means for rotating the said turntable carrier member in the said supporting frame relative to and past a plurality of work stations where operations are to be performed by the said machine during a cycle rotation of the said turntable carrier member; d. a plurality of handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices carried by and arranged at spaced intervals circumferentially around the said turntable carrier member for releasably gripping the said handle sticks and for holding an apple carrier thereby; e. a handle stick storage hopper arranged adjacent the said turntable carrier member at a first one of the said work stations and adapted to hold a supply of the said handle sticks; f. means for ejecting handle sticks one at a time from the said handle stick storage hopper into the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices as the latter are rotated sequentially by the said turntable carrier member into a position adjacent the said handle stick storage hopper at the said first work station; g. a movable endless apple-holding carrier arranged adjacent said turntable carrier member for holding a plurality of apples in spaced relationship thereon; h. a plurality of apple-holding devices arranged in spaced relationship on the said movable endless apple-holding carrier for releasably holding apples thereon; i. means for movably mounting the said movable endless appleholding carrier and the said apple-holding devices thereon adjacent the said turntable at a second one of the said work stations; j. handle stick-inserting means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices at the said second one of the said work stations for sequentially inserting handle sticks carried by the said handle stick-gripping and appleholding devices into the cores of apples held by the said apple-holding devices on the said movable endless apple-holding carrier; and k. means for coating each of the said apples as carried and held by the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices with an edible coating at another and coating one of said work stations during a cycle of rotation of the said turntable carrier member.
 2. A machine for making a coated apple or like confectiOn as defined in claim 1 which includes a. means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices at a work station following the said second work station, and in advance of the said first coating work station, in a cycle of rotation of the said turntable carrier member, for automatically ejecting handle sticks from the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices in the event that an apple is not picked up by the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices at the said second one of said work stations.
 2. each of the said apple-holding devices embodies a. means for holding an apple with its core disposed in a generally vertical plane at the said second work station and adjacent the said peripheral edge portion of the said main rotary turntable carrier member; and which includes
 2. means for movably mounting the said caramel container and the said supporting means therefor for vertical movement relative to and below the said main rotary turntable carrier member;
 2. a guide member including a generally U-shaped body portion rigidly attached to the said radially outer end portion of the said first supporting arm member;
 2. a lower end portion having the said handle stick-gripping chuck unit attached thereto; and
 2. an upright supporting arm member;
 2. an upright supporting bracket portion;
 2. a second apple-holding member movably mounted in each of said first apple-holding members and movable relative thereto, and each adapted to support an apple in one of the said first apple holding members; e. each of the said second apple holding members having a depending portion movably mounted in and extending below the said first apple holding member; and f. means for sequentially engaging and raising each of the said depending portions of the said second apple holding members and the said second apple holding members thereon so as to move each of the said second apple holding members upwardly in and relative to the said first apple holding member and thereby move the apple held thereby upwardly toward and into engagement with a handle stick held by one of the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices at the said apple pick-up work station.
 3. a pair of slidable supporting members slidably mounted in spaceD but generally parallel relationship on the said upright supporting bracket portion;
 3. a pair of shafts rigidly mounted in spaced relationship on the said upright supporting arm member;
 3. resetting spring means on the said shaft member between the said tubular sleeve member and the said upper end or head portion of the said shaft member normally urging the said shaft member and the said handle stick-gripping chuck unit embodied therein into a raised position relative to the said tubular sleeve member.
 3. a second supporting arm member having a. a radially inner end portion pivotally connected to the said generally U-shaped guide member; b. said second supporting arm member being adapted to be moved into the said generally U-shaped body portion of the said guide member when in raised position; and
 3. means for guiding the said caramel container and the said supporting means therefor during vertical movement thereof;
 3. cam means on the said stationarily mounted cam track member at the said second work station coacting with the said cam follower means carried by the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices to move the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices relative to the said main rotary turntable carrier member and relative to the said stationarily mounted cam track member so as to move the said handle sticks held thereby into a generally vertical plane at the said second work station; and which includes
 3. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 1 which includes a. a container for an edible fluid coating material arranged adjacent the said turntable carrier member for holding a supply of an edible fluid coating material at the said coating one of said work stations; and b. means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices, in timed relationship with the said turntable carrier member, for lowering the said apples carried thereby on the said handle sticks into the said container for the said edible fluid coating material to coat each of the said apples with a coating of the said edible fluid coating material at the said coating work station during a cycle of rotation of the said turntable carrier member.
 4. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 3 which includes a. means for automatically raising the said container for the said edible fluid coating material in relatively small increments upwardly toward the said turntable carrier member and the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices mounted thereon as the supply of the said edible fluid coating material therein is consumed in use.
 4. means operating in timed relationship with the said main rotary turntable carrier member and coacting with the said second cam means on the said stationarily mounted cam track member for lowering the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein and the said handle sticks held thereby relative to the said main turntable carrier member and in a generally vertical plane and inserting the said handle sticks sequentially into the cores of apples disposed in the said apple-holding devices on the said movable endless apple carrier member.
 4. heating means carried by the said supporting means below the said caramel container and movable therewith for heating the said caramel container and the caramel therein; and
 4. means for attaching the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding device and the said handle stick-gripping chuck unit embodied therein to the said radially outer end portion of the said second supporting arm member.
 4. a sleeve member rotatably mounted on each of the said shafts;
 4. means for slidably mounting the said supporting arm members on the said upright supporting bracket portion;
 5. a pair of supporting arm members arranged in spaced relationship and each attached to and carried by one of the said slidable supporting members;
 5. a gear fastened to each of the said sleeve members and said gears being in meshing relationship with each other;
 5. hydraulic means for elevating the said caramel container and the said heating means therefor in relatively small increments and in a generally vertical plane relative to the path of travel of the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein and the said handle sticks and apples held thereby as the supply of caramel in the said caramel container is consumed in use.
 5. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 3 which includes a. means disposed below the said container for the said edible fluid coating material for heating the said edible fluid coating material therein; b. means for supporting the said container for the said edible fluid coating material and the said heating means therefor for movement in a generally vertical plane relative to the turntable carrier member and the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices carried thereby; c. means for automatically raising the said container for the edible fluid coating material and the said heating means therefor in relatively small increments upwardly toward the said turntable carrier member and the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices carried thereby as the supply of the said edible fluid coating material in the said container therefor is consumed in use; and d. means for guiding movement of the said container for the said edible fluid coating material and the said heating means therefor as the said container for the said edible fluid coating material and the said heating means are moved on the said supporting means therefor in use.
 6. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 5 in which the said means for automatically raising the said container for the said edible fluid coating material and the said heating means therefor includes a. hydraulic lifting means disposed below the said container for the said edible fluid coating material; and b. means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the said hydraulic lifting means so as to raise the said container for the said edible fluid coating material and the said heating means therefor in relatively small increments as the said edible fluid coating material is consumed in use.
 6. an apple-gripping and holding member attached to each of said sleeve members and each of the said apple-gripping and holding members having a. an upwardly extending apple-gripping arm portion, and said apple-gripping arm portions being adapted to grip and hold an apple therebetween; and
 6. a flexible, resilient apple-gripping cup member carried by each of said pair of supporting arm members and arranged in spaced relationship, and said flexible, resilient cup members being adapted to grip and hold an apple therebetween; and
 7. spring means carried by the said means for slidably mounting the said supporting members and normally urging the said slidable supporting members and the said supporting arm members and the said flexible, resilient apple-gripping cup members carried thereby toward each other and urging the said flexible, resilient apple-gripping cup members into position to releasably grip and hold an apple therebetween.
 7. spring means carried by the said upright supporting arm member of the said supporting bracket and normally urging the said upwardly extending apple-gripping arm portions toward each other and into apple-gripping and holding position so as to releasably grip and hold an apple therebetween.
 7. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 3 which includes a. a receptacle for ground nuts arranged adjacent the said turntable carrier member at a second coating one of said work stations; and b. means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices at the said second coating one of said work stations, in timed relatioNship with the said turntable carrier member, for lowering the said apples, as coated with a coating of the said edible fluid coating material, into the said ground nut receptacle to coat the said apples with a coating of ground nuts over the said coating of edible fluid coating material thereon during a cycle of rotation of the said turntable carrier member.
 8. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 7 which includes a. means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices at a final one of said work stations, in timed relationship with the said turntable carrier member, and beyond the said second and ground nut receptacle coating work station, for automatically ejecting the said apple confections with the said coating of edible fluid coating material and with the said coating of ground nuts thereon from the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices during a cycle of rotation of the said turntable carrier member.
 9. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 7 which includes a. means for rotating the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said apples held thereby in the said ground nut receptacle so as to coat the said apples with a coating of ground nuts over the said coating of edible fluid coating material thereon.
 10. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 7 which includes a. a storage hopper for nuts disposed adjacent the said turntable carrier member at the said second coating work station and above the said ground nut receptacle and having
 11. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 10 in which the said nut-grinding means includes a. power means; b. power-transmission means operated by the said power means for operating the said nut-grinding means; c. clutch means for controlling the operation of the said power-transmission means; and d. means under control of the said level-responsive means in the said ground nut receptacle for controlling the said clutch means.
 12. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection which includes a coated apple and handle stick attached thereto comprising a. a supporting frame; b. a main movable endless carrier member movably mounted on the said supporting frame and having a plurality of work stations arranged therealong; c. means for moving the said main movable endless carrier member on the said supporting frame relative to and past the said work station; d. a plurality of handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices carried by the said main movable endless carrier member and arranged at spaced intervals thereon; e. each of the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices including
 13. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 12 which includes a. means for sequentially rotating the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said apples held thereby after the said apples have been provided with a coating of the said edible fluid coating material to remove excess of the said edible fluid coating material therefrom.
 14. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 12 which includes a. means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein, and in timed relationship with the said main movable endless carrier, at a work station between said second work station and in advance of the said coating one of said work stations for actuating the said handle stick-gripping chuck unit to release the said handle stick held thereby in the event that a handle stick held by the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding device and the said handle stick-gripping chuck unit embodied therein does not engage and pick up an apple at the said second one of said work stations.
 15. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 14 which includes a. a ground nut receptacle arranged adjacent the said main movable endless carrier member in its path of travel at the said second coating one of said work stations; and b. means coacting with the said apple stick-gripping and apple-holding devices, and in timed relationship with the said main movable endless carrier member, for sequentially moving the said apples held thereby, as coated with the said coating of edible fluid coating material, into and through the said ground nut receptacle to coat the said apples with a coating of ground nuts over the said coating of edible fluid coating material thereon.
 16. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 15 which includes a. means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein, and in timed relationship with the said main movable endless carrier member, for rotating the said apples in the said ground nut receptacle in contact with ground nuts therein to coat the said apples with a coating of ground nuts over the said coating of edible fluid coating material thereon.
 17. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 16 which includes a. a final receptacle for the coated apple confections arranged adjacent to and in the path of travel of the said main movable endless carrier member at a final one of the said work stations; and b. means coacting with the said handle stick gripping and apple-holding devices, in timed relationship with the said main movable endless carrier member, for ejecting the said coated apple confections and the said handle sticks attached thereto from the said handle stick-gripping chuck units into the said final receptacle for the said coated apple confections.
 18. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection ad defined in claim 17 in which a. the said final receptacle is adapted to hold a supply of ground nuts therein; and which includes b. means for rotating the said final receptacle with the said coated apple confections therein to provide the said coated apples with a second and further coating of ground nuts.
 19. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection which includes a coated apple having a handle stick attached thereto comprising a. a supporting frame; b. a main rotary turntable carrier member rotatably mounted on the said supporting frame, and including
 20. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 in which a. the said third cam means on the said stationarily mounted cam track member coacts with the said cam follower means carried by the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices to lower the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein and the said handle sticks and apples held thereby in a generally vertical plane into the said container at the said third work station for coating the said apples with a coating of the said edible fluid coating material in the said container.
 21. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 in which a. the saiD edible fluid coating material is caramel; and which includes
 22. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 which includes a. means for raising the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein and the apples held thereby within the said container but above the level of the said edible fluid coating material therein after the apples have been coated with a coating of the said edible fluid coating material; and b. means for rotating the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein and the apples held thereby within the said container but above the level of the edible fluid coating material therein to remove excess of the said edible fluid coating material from the said thus coated apples.
 23. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 in which a. the said movable apple carrier is in the form of a horizontally rotatable turntable carrier member including
 24. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection defined in claim 19 in which a. the said movable apple carrier is in the form of
 25. A machine for mAking a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 which a. the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein are moved by the coaction of the said first cam means on the said stationarily mounted cam track member and the said cam follower means carried by the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices into a generally horizontal position at the said first work station for the reception of a handle stick from the said discharge outlet of the said handle stick storage hopper.
 26. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 in which a. the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein and the said handle sticks held thereby are moved by the coaction of the said second cam means on the said stationarily mounted cam track member and the said cam follower means carried by the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices into a predetermined position, relative to the said main rotary turntable carrier member and relative to the said movable endless apple carrier member, at the said second one of said work stations for insertion of the said handle sticks into the cores of apples disposed in the said apple-holding devices on the said movable endless apple carrier.
 27. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 which includes a. a receptacle for ground nuts disposed at a fifth one of the said work stations adjacent the said peripheral edge portion of the said main rotary turntable carrier member and adapted to hold a supply of ground nuts and having
 28. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 27 which includes a. means coacting with the said main rotary turntable carrier member and with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices for rotating the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein and the said apples held thereby in the said receptacle for ground nuts to coat the said apples with a coating of ground nuts over the said coating of edible fluid coating material thereon.
 29. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 28 which includes a. a ground nut storage hopper arranged adjacent to and above the said ground nut receptacle for holding a supply of ground nuts and having
 30. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 28 which includes a. a final receptacle for the coated apple confections arranged at a sixth one of the said work stations adjacent the said peripheral edge portion of the said main rotary turntable carrier member; b. a fifth cam means on the said stationarily mounted cam track member at the said sixth work station and coacting with the said follower means carried by the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices to move the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said chuck units embodied therein and the said apple candy confections held thereby, relative to the said main rotary turntable carrier and the said stationarily mounted cam track member, into a generally vertical position above the said final receptacle for the said coated apple confections; and c. means coacting in timed relationship with movement of the said main rotary turntable carrier member and with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and with the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein for releasing the said handle sticks and the said coated apple confections from the said handle stick-gripping chuck units and discharging them into the said final receptacle therefor at the said sixth one of the said work stations.
 31. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 in which a. the said movable endless apple carrier is in the form of a rotary apple-carrying turntable carrier member having
 32. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 31 which includes a. means for raising the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein from their said lowered position into their said normally raised position so as to lift the apples held thereby out of the said apple-holding devices for rotational movement with the said main rotary turntable carrier member.
 33. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 32 which includes a. handle stick-ejecting means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and with the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein in timed relationship with movement of the said main rotary turntable carrier member at a third one of the said work stations for ejecting the handle sticks from the said handle stick-gripping chuck units of the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices in the event that the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein do not pick up an apple from one of the said apple-holding devices at the said secOnd work station.
 34. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 32 which includes a. means arranged between the said second and third work station and including
 35. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 33 which includes a. a receptacle arranged at the said third work station for the reception of the said ejected handle sticks.
 36. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 24 in which a. each of the said apple-holding devices on the said movable endless apple-holding carrier embodies
 37. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 in which a. the said means for movably mounting the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices and the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein includes
 38. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 37 in which a. the said means for movably mounting the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices includes
 39. A machine for inserting handle sticks into and coating an edible body comprising a. a supporting frame; b. a main movable endless carrier member movably mounted on said supporting frame and having a plurality of work stations arranged along the periphery thereof; c. a stationary cam track member mounted on said supporting frame adjacent to and generally coextensive with the said main movable endless carrier member; d. means for moving the said main movable endless carrier member successively past the said work stations; e. a storage hopper for handle sticks arranged at a first one of the said work stations and having a discharge outlet for the said handle sticks; f. a plurality of handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding devices movably mounted on the said main movable endless carrier at spaced intervals therealong for movement with the said main movable endless carrier and for movement in a generally vertical plane transversely relative to the path of travel of the said main movable endless carrier member; g. means for movably mounting the handle stick-gripping and edible body holding devices on the said main movable endless carrier for movement relative thereto in a generally vertical plane transversely relative to the path of travel of the said main movable endless carrier member; h. a first cam means on the said stationary cam track member arranged adjacent the said first work station; i. cam means carried by each of the said handle stick-gripping and edible body holding devices and coacting with the said first cam means, and in timed relationship with the said movable endless carrier member, for moving each of the said handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding devices relative to the said main movable endless carrier member and in a plane transverse relative to the path of movement of the said main movable endless carrier member into a position to receive a handle stick from the said discharge outlet of the said handle stick storage hopper; j. means operating in timed relationship with the said main movable endless carrier member for ejecting a handle stick from the said discharge outlet of the said handle stick storage hopper sequentially into each of the said handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding devices at the said first work station; k. a second movable endless carrier member disposed adjacent the said main movable endless carrier member at a second one of the said work stations; l. a plurality of edible body-holding devices carried by the said second movable endless carrier member and arranged at spaced intervals thereon and each adapted to releasably hold a body of edible material; m. a second cam means on the said stationary cam track member adjacent the said second work station; n. the said second cam means coacting with the said cam means carried by the said handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding devices to move each of the said handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding devices and the handle sticks carried thereby sequentially into a position to insert one of the said handle sticks into each of the said edible bodies at the said second work station; o. means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices for moving the latter and a handle stick carried thereby to insert the said handle stick into the said edible body at the said second work station; p. container for comestible material arranged adjacent the said main movable endless carrier member at a first coating one of said work stations; and q. means operating in timed relationship with the said main movable endless carrier member for moving each of the said handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding devices and the said edible bodies held thereby sequentially into and through the said container to coat each of the said edible bodies with a coating of the said comestible material at the said first coating onE of said work stations.
 40. A machine for inserting handle sticks into and coating an edible body as defined in claim 39 which includes a. a second container for comestible material arranged adjacent the said main endless carrier member at a second coating one of said work stations; and b. means operating in timed relationship with the said main movable endless carrier member for moving each of the handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding devices and the said coated edible bodies with a second coating of comestible material over the said first coating of comestible material thereon.
 41. A machine for inserting handle sticks into and coating an edible body, as defined in claim 40, in which the said means for movably mounting the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodied therein on the said main movable endless carrier includes a. a first supporting member rigidly attached to the said main movable endless carrier; b. a second supporting member pivotally mounted on the said first supporting member; c. a tubular sleeve member rigidly attached to the said second supporting member; and in which each of the said handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding devices includes d. a shaft member slidably mounted in the said tubular sleeve member and having
 42. A machine for inserting handle sticks into and coating an edible body as defined in claim 41 which includes a. a sleeve member carried by and slidably mounted on the said shaft member, and having b. a radially outwardly projecting flange portion; and c. means coacting in timed relationship with the said main movable endless carrier member for engaging the said radially outwardly projecting flange portion of the said sleeve member for slidably moving the said handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding device and the said handle stick-gripping chuck unit embodied therein on the said shaft member and relative to the said tubular sleeve member.
 43. A machine for inserting handle sticks into and coating an edible body, as defined in claim 41, in which each of the said handle stick-gripping chuck units embodies a. a main and generally tubular body member rigidly attached to the said shaft member, and having
 44. A machine for making edible confections which includes an edible body having a handle stick attached thereto, comprising a. a supporting frame; b. a movable endless carrier movably mounted on the said supporting frame and movable past a plurality of work stations in a cycle of operations thereof; c. a handle stick storage hopper arranged at a first one of the said work stations and having
 45. A machine for making edible confections as defined in claim 44 in which a. the said level-responsive means is responsive to a predetermined desired level of ground nuts in the said ground nut receptacle for operatively disengaging the said operating means for the said nut-grinding means from the said nut grinding means.
 46. A machine for making edible confections as definEd in claim 45 which includes a. means urging the said operating means for the said nut-grinding means into operative and driving engagement with the said nut-grinding means when the level of ground nuts in the said ground nut receptacle falls below the said predetermined desired level.
 47. A machine for inserting handle sticks into and coating an edible body, as defined in claim 42, in which a. the said handle stick-gripping chuck unit embodies
 48. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 31 in which each of the said apple-holding devices includes a. a supporting bracket member, including
 49. A machine for making coated apple confections, or the like, as defined in claim 48, which includes a. means for mounting the said apple-holding device on the said rotary apple-carrying turntable carrier member with the said apple-gripping arm portions extending generally horizontally so as to hold an apple therebetween with its core extending in a generally horizontal plane.
 50. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 31 in which each of the said apple-holding devices includes a. a supporting bracket member, including
 51. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 in which a. each of the said apple-holding devices on the said movable endless apple-holding carrier is disposed with its longitudinal axis extending generally horizontal; and which embodies
 52. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 19 in which a. the said movable endless apple carrier is in the form of an endless chain carrier member having the said apple-holding devices mounted at spaced intervals therealong; and in which b. each of the said apple-holding devices on the said endless chain carrier embodies
 53. A machine for making coated apple confections which include a coated apple having a handle stick attached thereto, comprising a. a supporting frame; b. a movable endless carrier movably mounted on the said supporting frame and movable past an apple pick-up work station in a cycle of operations of the machine; c. a plurality of handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices carried by the said movable endless carrier and mounted at spaced intervals thereon and each adapted to hold and to carry a handle stick held thereby into position to pick up an apple at the said apple pick-up work station; d. a movable endless apple carrier movably mounted at the said apple pick-up work station and having mounted at spaced intervals thereon
 54. A machine for making coated apple confections comprising a. a supporting frame; B. a main movable endless carrier movably mounted on the said supporting frame; c. a plurality of handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices carried by and arranged at spaced intervals on the said main movable endless carrier; d. means for sequentially moving the said main movable endless carrier and the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices carried thereby into position at an apple pick-up work station in a cycle of operations of the said machine; e. a movable endless apple carrier; f. a plurality of apple-holding members carried by the said movable endless apple carrier and arranged at spaced intervals thereon; g. means for movably supporting the said movable endless apple carrier and the said apple-holding members carried thereby; h. means for moving the said movable endless apple carrier and the said apple-holding members carried thereby sequentially into position at the said apple pick-up work station in timed relationship with movement of the said main movable endless carrier and the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices carried thereby; and i. means for sequentially raising the apples held in and by said apple-holding members upwardly relative to the said apple-holding members and toward the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices so as to move each of the said apples into engagement with one of the said handle sticks held by one of the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices at the said apple pick-up work station.
 55. A machine for making coated apple confections as defined in claim 54 in which a. each of the said apple-holding members is generally cup-shaped in form; and in which b. the said means for raising the said apples upwardly in and relative to the said apple-holding members includes c. a second apple-holding member movably mounted in each of the said generally cup-shaped apple-holding members and each adapted to hold an apple in one of the said generally cup-shaped first apple-holding members; and d. means for raising the said second-named apple-holding members upwardly in and relative to the said generally cup-shaped apple-holding members and toward the said handle sticks carried by the said handle stick-gripping and apple-holding devices.
 56. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection which includes a coated apple having a handle stick attached thereto comprising a. a supporting frame; b. a main rotary turntable carrier member rotatably mounted on the said supporting frame; c. means for rotating the said main rotary turntable carrier member on the said supporting frame successively past a plurality of work stations including an apple pick-up work station and a coating work station disposed adjacent the said main rotary turntable carrier member; d. a plurality of handle stick gripping and apple-holding devices movably mounted on the said main rotary turntable carrier member at spaced intervals circumferentially thereon and for movement therewith and each including
 57. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 56 in which a. the said means coacting with the said screw means for raising the said container includes
 58. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 56 in which a. the said means coacting with the said screw means for raising the said container includes
 59. A machine for making a coated apple or like confection as defined in claim 56 in which a. the said means for coacting with the said screw means includes
 60. A machine for making edible confections, each of which includes an edible body having a handle stick attached thereto, comprising a. a supporting frame; b. a movable endless carrier movably mounted on the said supporting frame and movable past a plurality of work stations in a cycle of movement thereof; c. a handle stick storage hopper arranged at a first one of the said work stations and having
 61. A machine for making edible confections, each of which includes an edible body having a handle stick attached thereto, comprising a. a supporting frame; b. a main movable endless carrier movably mounted on the said supporting frame and movable past a plurality of work stations in a cycle of movement thereof: c. a handle stick storage hopper arranged at a first one of the said work stations and having
 62. A machine for making edible confections, each of which includes an edible body having a handle stick attached thereto, as defined in claim 61, which includes a. means coacting with the said handle stick-gripping and edible-body holding devices for moving the said handle stick-gripping and edible body-holding devices and the handle sticks and edible bodies carried thereby, relative to the said auxiliary movable endless carrier, in a direction to withdraw the said edible bodies out of the said edible-body holding devices on the said auxiliary movable endless carrier after the said handle sticks have been inserted into the said edible bodies at the said second one of the said work stations. 